Policenauts is a spiritual sequel to Snatcher, the digital comic originally planned and written by Hideo Kojima between Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. It was released in Japan for the PC98 in 1994, with console ports for the 3DO in 1995, and the PlayStation and Saturn in 1996. It features an entirely different setting, plot, and characters from Snatcher, but the two games do share some peripheral details. Its game system is a refined version of Snatcher's, with a point-and-click interface instead of scrolling through menus at the bottom of the screen; "Look" and "Investigate" have been combined into one command; and the shooting scenes feature arcade-style shooting, where you have full control over your aim, instead of a 3x3 grid.

When will the patch be released?

The PlayStation version's patch was released on August 24th, 2009. The Saturn version's patch release date is... (say it with us) when it's done.

What are you working on right now?

The Saturn version's patch, and a small 1.01 update to the PlayStation patch. For details on the Saturn patch's progress, see this thread.

What do I do with the patch?

You first make images of your Policenauts discs with an ISO program, then individually apply the xdelta patches to each disc with another program. For help, check this thread.

Will there be patches for other versions?

Possibly, but we don't know when. The order for future patches would be: PC98, 3DO.

Will you do an English dubbed version?

No. We couldn't provide anywhere near the level of quality that would be necessary to make it a pleasant experience.

On what can I play the patch?

For the PlayStation version, a PlayStation emulator or PlayStation hardware (PS1, PS2, PSP). We recommend hardware, if you can. We'll be providing tips for emulation at release.

No compensation is received by any team member in exchange for providing these links.

Where can I find a ROM of the game?

You mean ISOs of the game? Not from us! We do not endorse piracy. See the above question and answer.

I heard there are three versions of the PlayStation version of Policenauts. Is this true?

Yes, there's the original '96 release, the The Best re-release, and the PSone Books re-release. The PlayStation patch is compatible with all three versions.

Can I help in any way?

We aren't currently looking for assistance with any aspect of the project.

Do you accept donations?

We do not accept monetary donations. The project is pure fan work. However, if you go all stalker on us and obtain our addresses and send us some sort of gift, we would not return it unless it were money (or maybe a couple other things).

Last edited by Artemio on Wed May 14, 2008 1:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

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Sun May 20, 2007 12:01 pm

87th

General

Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2005 3:35 pmPosts: 2150Location: Zanzibarland

8bitsonic wrote:

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.

You spend a bit more time on disc 1 in the PSX version. The FMV in the Saturn version has a higher frame rate (very noticeable if you go from playing the Saturn version to the PSX version) and was possibly compressed using a different algorithm than the one used for the PSX version (I can't confirm this), resulting in larger files (hence the need for more discs). I was actually thinking I'd make a comparison video, just haven't been assed to do it yet.

_________________"The west, so afraid of powerful government, now has no government. Only financial power."

Localization, not translation.

It is a title screen.Something pushes a button.

Sun May 20, 2007 4:28 pm

Kojima_Devotee

J.U.N.K.E.R.

Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:00 pmPosts: 212

Just to reiterate, both the original and The Best versions will definitely work with the patch?

_________________Sure, mainstream games are fun, but you haven't tried Snatcher yet.

Sun May 20, 2007 9:04 pm

Artemio

Site Admin

Joined: Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:33 amPosts: 2925Location: Mexico

8bitsonic wrote:

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

That would be almost impossible to happen. You see, the process is not linear. Maybe you need to grasp what is being done in a simpler way. View it as a program that puts text on screen. It either does it correctly, it doesn't at all or it has problems with some parts. When hacking it, the process goes something like fixing general problems and trhen fixing particular problems. Because the text printing routine is very general, it is a more normal case to fix everything at the exact same time. It is not like going from a non existant start until the end id found.

I understand you'd like to receive the game sooner, we all do. But in reality it is not because we don't want to provide it, it ie because we can't just yet.

_________________From the mathematical perspective, consciousness might be regarded as a second derivative of sensation.-- Terrel Miedaner

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

We'll wait until everything is ready. As Snatcher said, it wouldn't happen like that anyway. The coding work is a non-linear process.

epitaph wrote:

87th wrote:

8bitsonic wrote:

Alright, here's a question- say you guys finish the patch for disc 1 before disc 2. Would you release it on its own, or wait until disc 2's patch was done and release them together?

If the PlayStation version's anything like the Saturn one, I hope it's all released at the same time. You barely spend 30 minutes on disc 1 on the Saturn. I'd hate to have to wait to find out what happens next.

You spend a bit more time on disc 1 in the PSX version. The FMV in the Saturn version has a higher frame rate (very noticeable if you go from playing the Saturn version to the PSX version) and was possibly compressed using a different algorithm than the one used for the PSX version (I can't confirm this), resulting in larger files (hence the need for more discs). I was actually thinking I'd make a comparison video, just haven't been assed to do it yet.

The reason the first disc of the Saturn version is so short gameplay-wise is because it contains extra movies that open up after completing the game -- an interview with Karen Hojo's actress, game trailers, and short making of videos, which aren't found in the PS version and take up space.

Kojima_Devotee wrote:

Just to reiterate, both the original and The Best versions will definitely work with the patch?

Yeah, as will the PSone Books version.

Sun May 20, 2007 11:19 pm

Kojima_Devotee

J.U.N.K.E.R.

Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 3:00 pmPosts: 212

I see. I was just double-checking because the copy I've obtained is the "The Best" version. On the website, it says both the original and "The Best" versions would definitely handle the patch without issue. Unfortunately, I tend to get nervous easily, so I thought I'd ask you guys directly.

Speaking of the website's FAQ, it says there might have been some uncertainties due to the different Konami logo screen in the "The Books" version. Have those potential issues been resolved? (If you don't mind me asking.)

Sorry, I just like learning about the whole process you guys are going through. I know it's not fun, but at least you guys get some publicity and fans from the project.

_________________Sure, mainstream games are fun, but you haven't tried Snatcher yet.

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